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What's so hard about compiling the linux kernel? As long as you have a general understanding of what hardware is in your system, it shouldn't be a daunting task.

Between the README that comes with the kernel source, and the wealth of information on the internet, there is no excuse to not learn how to compile your own custom kernel.

When I compile my kernels, I always compile as much as I can as modules; including options which are not required, but may be needed at a later time (I.E video drivers, sound drivers, parallel port, USB, etc..) Also, I find the that the must intuitive interface to configure with is menuconfig. Using "make config" is just to hard and a much slower process, IMO. I guess you would use "make config" if you didn't have ncurses available to you, but I don't know why you wouldn't.

As for the difference between compiling on various distros.... There is none. When compiling a new kernel for any distro out there, the process is exactly the same.